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City News In 250 Words: Friday 13 January

Naughty Brief, Balotelli Caught Short, Hugging Muggers and Gob Guilt

Published on January 13th 2012.

A BARRISTER who stole £81,500 from his former chambers in Manchester will be sentenced next month. David Friesner, 46, admitted stealing from the place where he worked for more than 14 years and was told he could expect a lengthy prison sentence. Friesner, from Prestwich, was granted unconditional bail before he is sentenced on 10 February.

POLICE are warning of a surge in ‘hugger muggers’ in the city centre. The thieves approach their victims and give them hug as cover while picking their pockets. The unsuspecting target is often unaware of what has happened, assuming they have simply lost their phone or wallet. One such ‘hugger mugger’ received a six-month referral order last month after admitting three counts of theft.

STOPPING to spit on the pavement just moments before a vicious attack on a 74-year-old woman was what led to the assailant's arrest. Police recovered DNA evidence from the saliva after spotting a man carrying a knife spitting as they reviewed CCTV footage from the time of the incident. David Walters, 22, pleaded guilty in court to attempted murder and will be sentenced on 2 April.

MANCHESTER City’s Mario Balotelli is at it again. This time he caused a stir by pulling up outside Rusholme’s Xaverian College in his Bentley and wandering inside to use the toilet. Bemused students watched as he came in unannounced to spend a penny before talking to teachers at the school. The footballer was followed around by cheering fans during his impromptu visit.

This week in 1878: A presentation of 200 guineas was made at Salford Town Hall to Mark Addy to acknowledge his rescues of many people from drowning.